Youghal(pronounced Yowl) is a charming walled town in the harbor area on County Cork, which can be visited on foot and has explanatory posters around town (which are in English, Spanish, German and French) in front of its historical buildings. More Irish cities should adopt this practical auto-guide, this way you learn important local facts and you don't have that odd feeling to be walking in a city not knowing where to go! You just have to follow the signs like this one:

Youghal (que fica a 48 Km de Cork City e 230 Km de Dublin) foi usada como assentamento tanto pelos Vikings e pelos Normandos. A localização geográfica do porto era muito boa! E o porto teve fundamental importância na vida da cidade durante vários séculos. Com o passar dos anos foi perdendo essa importância.Youghal (which is 48 Km from Cork City and 230 Km from Dublin) was used as a settlement for both Vikings and Normands. The port geographical location was very good! And the port had fundamental importance on the life of the city during many centuries. With the years going by, this importance went down considerably.

This gate linked the medieval city to the port. Youghal had 5 bridges like this. Clock Tower

Assim que você chega à cidade já encontra um dos seus principais prédios. É a Clock Tower. Desde a sua construção, em 1777, teve vários usos. Primeiro era um posto policial. Também foi prisão provisória para pessoas que esperavam sentença. Em 1798 alguns integrantes do grupo Irlandeses Unidos (United Irishmen) que lutava pela independência irlandesa foi enforcado nestas janelas pelo exército britânico. Foi por muitos anos considerado o relógio da cidade, pois era visto de quase todos os locais. Curiosamente só tem 3 lados, norte, sul e leste. Acreditava-se que quem olha-se a oeste não precisaria saber a hora! heheheheAs soon as you arrive in town, you already find one of its main buildings. it is the Clock Tower. Since its construction in 1777, it had several uses. It was a police station at first. It was also a provisional prison for people waiting for conviction. In 1798 some member of the United Irishmen, who fought for the Irish independence, were hanged on these windows by the British Army. It was for many years considered the town's clock, because it could be seen from almost all places. It curiously only has 3 sides - north, south and east. It was believe that whoever looked up from the west didn't really need to know the time! hehehe...The Red House

Este casa é um exemplo da arquitetura holandesa que foi levada a Youghal. A cor vermelha dos tijolos era muito rara e todos estes foram importados. É raro encontrar este tipo de casa hoje em dia na Irlanda.This house is an example of the Dutch architecture that was taken to Youghal. The red color on the bricks was very rare, and all of these ones were imported. It is very seldom to currently find this kind of house in Ireland.Tynte's Castle

O Castelo de Tynte é o único exemplo que sobrevive até hoje das várias casas com torre que podiam ser encontradas em Youghal. Acredita-se que esta casa foi construída no século XV.Tynte's Castle is the only example that survives until today from the several houses with a tower that could be found in Youghal. It is believed this house was built on the XV century.Boyle's Almshouses

Este prédio foi construído pelo primeiro Conde de Cork, Richard Boyle em 1643 com o objetivo de abrigar soldados doentes. Depois as viúvas desses soldados começaram a ser albergadas ali também. Tem um um estilo arquitetônico "jacobeano". As portas em arco com ponta.This building was constructed by the first Count of Cork, Richard Boyle, in 1643 with the objective to shelter sick soldiers. After this, the widows of these soldiers started to be sheltered there. It has a Jacobean architectonic style. The doors are shaped in arc with a tip.St. Mary Collegiate Church

A nave principal desta igreja data do século XIII e conserva a estrutura original de telhado de madeira. É uma das poucas igrejas medievais ainda em funcionamento na Irlanda. Entrar nela é realmente especial. Chovia forte e entramos rapidamente na igreja para nos abrigar e a paz foi realmente incrível.The main nave of this church dates from the XIII century, and keeps the original structure of the roof. It is one of the few medieval churches still working in Ireland. Going inside it is really special. It was raining cats and dogs, quickly entered the church to get s shelter, and the peace was really amazing! O cemitério da igreja é lugar de tumbas de diversas personalidades locais.The church cemetery is a place of tombs from several local personalities.

Preste atenção no buraco do muro em forma de caixão. Antigamente aqui ficava um caixão comunitário para os pobres. A pessoa era velada nesse caixão e depois, na hora do enterro era retirada dali e enrolada em panos. A caixão voltava para o buraco à espera do próxima funeral.Pay attention on the whole in the wall shaped as a coffin. In the old days, here is where a community coffin was found for the poor people. The deceased was kept on it while people kept vigil over, and at the time of the burial the person was removed and rolled up in clothes. The coffin would be returned to the whole to be waiting for the next funeral.

Town WallAqui dá para ver bem os antigos muros da Youghal que remontam do século XIII. Ao longo do muro existiam torres de defesa.Here you can see well the old walls of Youghal, which are from the XIII century. Along the wall there were defense towers.

The College GardensNos jardins do College Gardens terminamos nosso passeio por Youghal. Aqui é um excelente lugar para relaxar um pouco depois da caminhada pela cidade e até fazer um picnic!On the gardens of the College Gardens we finished our tour in Youghal. Here is an excellent place for relaxing a little after the stroll in the town, and even to have a picnic!